Ocular Trauma

Trauma to the face and eye area is typically unexpected and can be devastating. There are almost two million instances of eye injury per year in the United States, and it is the number one cause of vision loss in people under the age of 25.

Causes and Symptoms of Ocular Trauma

There are several common ways in which people injure an eye, including falling, motor vehicle accidents, assaults, flying debris, and chemical injury. Particularly dangerous activities include the use of fireworks, paintball, and hammering metal. While many instances of ocular trauma occur during sports-related activities, more than 40 percent of ocular injuries occur inside the home.

Symptoms from an eye injury can include:

Eye pain

Redness or discoloration

Swelling or bleeding

Discomfort when blinking or moving the eye

Irregularity in the pupils

Ocular injuries, if severe, can also cause damage to the retina, leading to inflammation, rupturing of the layer beneath the retina, hemorrhages, retinal tears, or even retinal detachments.

Prevention of Ocular Trauma

Fortunately, 90 percent of ocular trauma can be prevented by using necessary precaution and protective eyewear. We encourage everyone to use appropriate eye safety protection during activities that involve any potential risk to the eye.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Ocular Trauma

You should seek immediate treatment from an ophthalmologist following an eye injury. In many cases, there are effective medical and surgical management options. Retina Consultants of Houston specializes in handling vitreoretinal complications that can occur as the result of an eye injury.

Retina Consultants of Houston is the largest retina-only ophthalmology practice in Texas with 2 certified research centers and is one of the most respected in the United States. Our practice is also home to the Greater Houston Retina Research Center, one of the country’s leading sites for retinal research. All Retina Consultants of Houston physicians are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and specialize exclusively in diseases and surgery of the retina, vitreous, and macula. In addition, we have an ocular oncology division, which focuses on cancer treatments for the eye. Our surgeons have studied at some of the most notorious institutions in the nation and all have graduated at the very top of their classes.